Ministry of Antiquities
Press Office
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Amenhotep III Statue found in Edfu
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Antiquities Minister Dr. Mamdouh Eldamaty declared today that the statue of the 18th Dynasty king "Amenhotep III" was found in a house of "al Nakhl" (Palm) village in Edfu – Aswan Governorate.
Aswan archaeological area, added Eldamaty, has received a report from the General Prosecutor's Office about finding the statue while breaking in a house of a drugs and arms dealer. An archaeological committee was formed immediately to examine the statue and authenticate it.
Eldamaty also ordered that the statue is to be transformed temporarily to the museum store in Edfu for restoration and conservation works before being showcased in one of the Egyptian Museums.
Commenting on the statue itself, Nasr Salama, General Manager of Aswan archaeological area said that it is made of black granite and very well preserved. The statue's height is 150cm long and it represents King Amenhotep III standing, wearing a short skirt and "Nemes" (head and neck cover) forwarding his left leg, in the traditional position of kings in Ancient Egypt. The statue also carries a number of important inscriptions at the center of the waist belt, behind the back and on the base representing the names and titles of the great King.
© Ministry of Antiquities, Press Office
Wrote: Asmaa Mostafa
Translated by: Eman Hossni